The academic world often celebrates individuals who achieve remarkable milestones through dedication and perseverance. These success stories not only inspire, but also pave the way for others to follow. Such inspiring achievements have recently been made by Bernardus Welldan Adhi and Najwaa Hamiidah, students from the Japanese Language and Culture Program at Diponegoro University (Undip). Both have been awarded highly competitive scholarships for student exchange programs to Japan, funded by the Japanese Government under the renowned MEXT Scholarship.
A Dream Realized: Welldan Heads to Nagoya
Bernardus Welldan Adhi (Class of 2023) had set his sights on the MEXT Scholarship since his freshman year. His interest was sparked after attending a campus seminar on scholarships, and further deepened by joining a MEXT preparation class organized by Himawari. However, it was the encouragement and support from his lecturers that truly motivated him to pursue this opportunity seriously.
Now, Welldan is preparing for his academic journey to Nagoya University.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect to reach this point, but I’m extremely happy. All the struggles I went through during the selection process were worth it,”
he shared.
Welldan also emphasized the importance of courage and perseverance:
“Never be afraid to try. Once you’ve set a goal, work hard to achieve it.”
From Inspiration to Achievement: Najwaa’s Path to Ōsaka
For Najwaa Hamiidah (Class of 2023), the motivation came from seeing her seniors participate in exchange programs and internships in Japan. Inspired by their success, she set her goal on the same path. Throughout the year, she actively engaged in various activities that strengthened her Japanese language skills and cultural understanding.
Her efforts bore fruit when she received the news of her acceptance to Ōsaka University.
“I’m very happy and grateful for this opportunity. I hope to make the most of it and bring back valuable experiences for the future,”
she said with optimism.
Celebrating Excellence: A Source of Pride for Undip
These scholarships are a testament to Welldan and Najwaa’s hard work, consistency, and passion for Japanese studies. Their achievements are not only personal milestones but also a moment of pride for Diponegoro University. Their commitment goes beyond the classroom—both have actively participated in programs and initiatives that deepened their understanding of Japanese culture and language.
Being selected for the G2G Japanese Studies Program under MEXT places them among a distinguished group of students recognized for academic excellence and cultural competence.
As Welldan and Najwaa prepare for their journeys to Japan in the coming months, the entire academic community looks forward to witnessing the fruits of their endeavor. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that with vision, effort, and determination, great things are possible.
Congratulations to Welldan and Najwaa on this outstanding achievement—and best wishes for continued success in Japan and beyond!